AusLeisure

A volleyball coach in Western Australia has been given a suspended jail term for illegally having sex with one of his junior players.

While the player was over 16 at the time of the sexual activity (over the age of consent), the coach was charged because the girl was "under his care, supervision or authority".

In a submission to the District Court, the man said there was no sexual activity during the formal volleyball season.

As reported by the ABC, the District Court heard the relationship was "mutual" and there was no evidence the victim suffered adverse effects.

Addressing the man, whose identity was not revealed to protect the victim, Judge Stephen Scott said he did not discern "any pressure brought to bear by you".

He had discussed with the girl that the relationship had no future and, the judge said, it was not a case where "you selfishly groomed her".

The Judge said there was "no coercive or forceful behaviour.”

He also accepted the man's assertion he did not know it was unlawful to have sex with the girl as she was over 16.

However, Judge Scott spoke of the "significant disparity" in their ages and said the charges were laid because she was under the man's care and guidance.

He said to the man "you readily concede what you did was morally wrong" and the "offences you've committed are serious offences".

The man was sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for 18 months.

He has been undergoing psychological counselling and because of the sentence will be designated as a reportable offender.

Related Articles

24th May 2019 - Geoffrey Rush to receive massive $2.9 million damages in Daily Telegraph defamation case

15th March 2019 - Sydney swim teacher charged over sexual abuse of young girls

26th September 2018 - Man charged over alleged sexual assault at Adelaide Aquatic Centre

11th May 2018 - Sponsors call for explanation of Fremantle Dockers sexual harassment claims

6th February 2018 - Seven charged over sexual and physical abuse at regional NSW circus school

13th December 2017 - Volleyball Australia names new Chief Executive

21st October 2016 - Former dance school teacher jailed for minimum 18 years for sexual assaults on students

16th September 2016 - YMCA Australia issues public apology to past victims of sexual abuse

5th December 2014 - Swimming Australia to conduct sexual misconduct review

8th July 2014 - Child sexual abuse Royal Commission shifts inquiry to swimming coaches

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.